BONDS & LEVIES:
The Seeds of
School Funding
Funding for education in the state of Washington is complicated and can lead to questions about how schools receive the money needed to operate. The state of Washington is required to supply school districts with state funding for “basic education” which is based on what is referred to as a “prototypical model” representing the Legislature’s assumptions of what resources are required to provide the program of basic education.
Unfortunately, when the funding provided by the state does not cover the actual costs to operate, construct and maintain a school district, districts often utilize bonds and levies to bridge the gap. This local funding allows school districts to provide the structures and services communities rely on, which allows students to grow and thrive.
Bonds are for building
Click to learn moreBonds are for building
A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years.
Bonds require a super majority to pass (60%)
Levies are for learning
Click to learn moreLevies are for learning
A levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund or fully fund as part of “basic education.”
Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1)
* The statement “levies are for learning” primarily refers to enrichment levies.
Bonds are for building
Click to learn moreBonds are for building
A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years.
Bonds require a super majority to pass (60%).
Levies are for learning
Click to learn moreLevies are for learning
A levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund or fully fund as part of “basic education.”
Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1).
* The statement “levies are for learning” primarily refers to enrichment levies.
Grow & thrive with local support
There are three main types of levies. Click on a sign to read more.
A replacement levy is the renewal of an existing enrichment levy that is about to expire. Typically, if a district is asking for a replacement levy to be approved by voters, it means that it is simply the continuation of an existing tax.
Capital/Tech
Capital levies (which includes tech levies) fund things like modern technology, enhanced building security, and renovation projects. Capital levies can be approved for up to six years.
Enrichment
Enrichment levies, also known as Educational Programs and Services (EP&O) and Maintenance and Operations (M&O levies), allow a school district to provide things like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials, or services that the state only partially funds. Funding provided by the state does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district, so enrichment levies bridge the gap in funding. Enrichment levies can be approved for up to four years.
Transportation
Transportation levies fund things like new buses or major repairs to older buses to prolong their useful life. Transportation levies can be approved for up to two years.
Enrichment levies
Enrichment levies, also known as Educational Programs and Services (EP&O) and Maintenance and Operations (M&O levies), allow a school district to provide things like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials, or services that the state only partially funds. Funding provided by the state does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district, so enrichment levies bridge the gap in funding. Enrichment levies can be approved for up to four years.
Capital/Tech levies
Capital levies (which includes tech levies) fund things like modern technology, enhanced building security, and renovation projects. Capital levies can be approved for up to six years.
Transportation levies
Transportation levies fund things like new buses or major repairs to older buses to prolong their useful life. Transportation levies can be approved for up to two years.
Garden-variety questions
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